(8 Apr 1998) English/Nat

British Prime Minister Tony Blair flew to Belfast on Tuesday in a bid to rescue the Northern Ireland peace talks after the major Protestant party rejected a draft peace accord after months of negotiations.

Former U-S Senator George Mitchell, the chairman of the peace talks, wants the parties to use his confidential 65-page document as the basis for reaching a peace accord by Thursday.

But the Ulster Unionists' rejection of the compromise threw that deadline into doubt.

The pro-British Ulster Unionists rejected the proposed settlement just hours after chairman of the peace talks, former U-S Senator George Mitchell, delivered it to the eight parties involved.

Its position was unequivocal.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We want to see progress being made, but we've made absolutely clear to the prime minister that we cannot have an agreement based on the kind of proposals set out in Senator Mitchell's document last night."
SUPER CAPTION: Jeffrey Donaldson, Ulster Unionist negotiator

Leader of the I-R-A-allied Sinn Fein party, Gerry Adams, said that even if current problems could be overcome, there was much more work to be done.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This whole question will be the hardest test that Tony Blair will ever face in his term as prime minister, or indeed in his terms as prime minister, and the challenge won't end if this issue is resolved in these next few days, because it is only a phase in what is required, we intend pushing on for more change past this, for building upon this, for getting transition, for building bridges towards the future out of all of this."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader

Adams also expressed his party's commitment to continue talks until an agreement backed by all parties was reached.

The Social Democratic and Labour Party, Sinn Fein's rival for Catholic votes, said further talks would be necessary if it was to accept the document as it stands.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It's a comprehensive document which has positive elements in it but it's also got elements within it with which we have major differences and we believe that we have to discuss those differences and try and get agreement on them from all the other parties"
SUPER CAPTION: John Hume, Social Democratic and Labour Party leader

British Prime Minister Tony Blair flew to Belfast on Tuesday in a bid to prevent the long-awaited peace settlement from unravelling.

In an informal address to the press, he maintained an optimistic view.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What is important is to work out whether there is a real difference in substance or whether we can actually overcome any of the remaining difficulties that there are, but these are always going to be very tough and very hard negotiations."
SUPER CAPTION: Tony Blair, British Prime Minister

Despite the latest setback, Blair said all parties should try all possible means to keep the peace talks on track.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I feel the hand of history upon our shoulder in respect to this, I really do, and I just think we need to acknowledge that and respond to it. Now maybe it is impossible to find a way through, maybe even with the best faith in the world you can't do it, but it is right to try so I am here to try."
SUPER CAPTION: Tony Blair, British Prime Minister

Blair met the leader of the pro-British Ulster Unionists, David Trimble, who had earlier rejected the proposed settlement.

He also met his Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Mowlam, and representatives of other parties.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern is to join Blair on Wednesday.














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